Learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can be an exciting journey, and one of the most important skills you’ll need is a good guard game. The guard position is crucial because it allows you to control your opponent and set up attacks or sweeps, even when you’re on the bottom.
Improving your guard game takes time, effort, and a lot of practice. But don’t worry, with the right approach and guidance, you can make steady progress.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know to take your guard game to the next level. We’ll cover why the guard is so important, key principles to strengthen your guard, essential drills to practice, and common mistakes to avoid.
Understanding the Importance of Guard in BJJ
The guard position is a staple in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s a powerful position because it allows you to control your opponent from the bottom. When you’re on guard, you can set up attacks, sweeps, and submissions while keeping yourself protected.
There are several types of guards, like closed guard, open guard, and spider guard. Each has its own strengths and can be used in different situations. A good guard can frustrate your opponent and create opportunities for you to take control of the fight.
It’s important to develop a strong guard because it’s often the first line of defence. If your guard is weak, you might find yourself in bad positions more often. Focus on learning different guard types and understanding how they work together. This way, you can transition between guards smoothly and keep your opponent guessing.
Key Principles to Strengthen Your Guard
To improve your guard game, you need to follow some key principles. These will help you become more effective and make it harder for your opponent to pass your guard.
1. Maintain Strong Posture: Always keep a strong posture. This means keeping your back straight and your core engaged. Good posture makes it harder for you to break down and gives you a solid base from which to work.
2. Control Your Opponent’s Hips: Controlling your opponent’s hips is crucial. If they can move their hips freely, they can pass your guard easily. Use your legs and grips to limit their hip movement.
3. Use Angles: Don’t stay flat on your back. Create angles by shifting your hips and shoulders. Angles make it easier to set up attacks and harder for your opponent to apply pressure.
4. Grip Fighting: Your grips are your first line of control. Focus on getting and maintaining good grips. Break your opponent’s grips and establish your own to control their movements.
5. Active Feet and Legs: Your feet and legs play a huge role in guard. Keep them active by pushing, pulling, and hooking to manipulate your opponent. Active legs make your guard dynamic and hard to pass.
By focusing on these principles, you can build a strong guard foundation. Practise regularly and assess your guard game to identify areas for improvement. A solid guard will make you a more formidable opponent and open up many opportunities for success in BJJ.
Essential Drills for Guard Improvement
Improving your guard game involves consistent practice. Drills are a great way to build muscle memory and refine your techniques. Here are some essential drills to help you get better:
1. Shrimping (Hip Escapes): This drill helps you create space between you and your opponent. Lie on your back, bend your knees, and push off one foot while scooting your hips back. Repeat on both sides.
2. Triangle Choke Drills: Practice throwing your legs up to lock in a triangle choke. This develops leg strength and flexibility. Focus on squeezing your knees together and controlling the distance.
3. Guard Retention Drills: Have a partner try to pass your guard while you work to maintain it. Practise using frames and hip movements to stop their advances. This helps build your guard retention skills.
4. Sweeping Drills: Work with a partner to practise different sweeps like the scissor sweep, flower sweep, and hip bump sweep. Drilling these moves helps you understand timing and leverage.
5. Transition Drills: Move between different guard positions, such as closed guard, open guard, and spider guard. This drill helps you become more fluid and adaptable.
Common Guard Mistakes and How to Fix Them
When improving your guard game, it’s important to recognize common mistakes and know how to fix them. Here are some frequent errors and tips for avoiding them:
1. Flat on Your Back: Many beginners make the mistake of staying flat on their back. This limits your movement and makes you an easy target. Instead, stay on your side and keep moving your hips.
2. Poor Grips: Weak or incorrect grips can ruin your guard game. Focus on establishing strong grips on your opponent’s sleeves, collar, or pants. Good grips help control their movements.
3. Not Controlling the Distance: Allowing your opponent to get too close or too far can break your guard. Use your legs and hands to manage the distance and keep them where you want.
4. Ignoring Guard Recovery: Failing to recover your guard when it’s being passed is a common mistake. Work on drilling guard retention and recovery techniques to maintain control.
5. Overusing Strength: Relying too much on strength can tire you out and isn’t efficient. Focus on technique and leverage instead. Proper technique will help you conserve energy and be more effective.
6. Neglecting Your Legs: Your legs are your primary tools in guard. If they’re too relaxed, you’ll lose control. Keep your legs active and engaged to maintain a strong guard.
Conclusion
Improving your guard game in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu takes dedication and practice. By understanding the importance of the guard, applying key principles, and incorporating essential drills, you can take your skills to the next level. Being aware of and correcting common mistakes will also help you become a more effective and confident fighter on the mats.
If you’re ready to elevate your BJJ skills even further, look no further than Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our experienced instructors are here to help you master the guard and other essential techniques. Don’t wait—start improving your game by joining our BJJ training programs today!
